Switch operating circuit with annunciator signals



Nov. 5, 1935. F. H. RICHTERKESSING ET AL fl fl SWITCH OPERATING CIRCUIT WITH ANNUNCIATOR SIGNALS Filed Sept. 3, 1930 wuanCo c FRANK H. .Q/CHI'EKEJS/NG SAMUEL S. STOLP Patented Nov. 5, 1935 res UNITED PATENT OFFICE SWITCH OPERATING CIRCUIT WITH ANNUNCIA'EOR SIGNALS Application September 3, 1930, Serial No. 479,486

15 Claims.

Our invention relates to an electric switch for automatically operating trackless trolley frogs and to provide a system of signal indications whereby the vehicle operator may be informed of the trolley frog operating circuits being energized while the current collector of the vehicle is in contact engagement with the overhead trolley contactor and for a predetermined time after disengagement of the current collector and trolley contactor.

One of the objects of our invention is to supply a transient operating current to the system for operating the trolley. frogs to the curve or straight ahead position, and to maintain the position of the frog tongues in their operating positions through a suitable form of a togglespring.

Another object of our invention is to provide a system for automatically selecting the position of the frog tongue from the vehicle'through the medium of the motor controller when thrown to either the power on or power ofi position.

Other objects will disclose themselves as the disclosure of our invention is made herein.

Our invention resides in the new and novel construction, the combination and relation of the various parts and circuits herein described and shownln the drawing, in which Fig. l is a diagrammatic drawing. of our invention showing the relation ofthe various parts and circuits when the system is in a normal condition, that is, before and after'its operation for positioning the frog tongues. The frog tongues, however, may be shown in either of their operable positions. Fig. 1 also diagrammatically illustrates the circuits employed in a trackless trolley vehicle, which are taken into account of in the operation of our invention, more fully described hereinafter.

Fig. 2 is a preferred embodiment of the system shown in Fig. 1.

It is the object of our invention ,to provide-a system by means of which trolley frog tongues are automatically and electrically operated:to.the straight ahead or curved posit-ions, governed by the vehicle operator applying either power on or power ofi to the vehicle motors. This system utilizes the principle'that when the motor controller is set in' the power ofl:.p osition no current will flow through the motorseand when the controller is set in the power on position a heavy current will flow through the'vehicle motors. The flow and non-flow of the motor operating current is made use of in the operation of the system for selecting the position'of the trolley frogtongues. There are, also, other.cur-

rents used in trackless trolley vehicles which must be taken into account in the designing of the system. These are referred to as the auxiliary currents and. are known as the heat,light and air compressor currents.

In Fig. 1 the characters W and Wl represent trolley wheels or current collectors employed on trackless trolley vehicles. The characters TI and T2 represent the trolley poles by which the respective current collectors are mounted upon the vehicle. H indicates the heaters, L the lights, J the air compressors, and these when in op- .erationtogether with possibly others may consume a considerable amount of current. The motors for moving .the trackless trolley vehicle are indicated by the letter M, and the controller for- ;regulating the current flow in the motor circuit is represented by the character C2. Normally the .current collector W is in contact engagement with "the overhead current conductor l, and the current collector WI is in contact engagement with the overhead current conductor lA.

In the system shown in Fig. 1 the letter P represents a trolley pan or contactor positioned adjacent the current conductor I and is so arranged that when the current collector W comes into contact engagement with the contact members 2 and 3 it will pass out of contact engagement with the current conductor l. The contactmembers 2; and 3 of the trolley contactor P usually consist of two laterally disposed parallel contact members normally insulated from each other and the current conductor l, and are so positioned that the current-collector W will bridge the two members when passing thereover. In

Figure 2 a similar trolley contactor is employed and the same characteristics and numerals are applied to identical parts.

Since the propulsion current of the trackless trolley vehicle is obtained from 'two overhead current collectors separate frog switching devices are required for each current conductor. In Figs. 1 and 2 the trolley frog tongues N and O are identical, therefore like numerals and characters have been employed to identify similar parts.

With further reference to Fig. 1 it will be noted that the switch tongue 0 is employed to govern the direction of movement of the current collector Wl traveling on the conductor IA, andthe switch tongue N'i's similarly employed to govern the direction of movement of the current collector W traveling on the overhead conduc tor I. The switch tongue 0 is provided with two operating coils Sl-and Cl'and a suitable toggle pring S1 for mechanically biasing the position of the switch tongue 0 after having been initially affected by either of the two operating coils SI or CI. The operating coil SI is employed to position the switch tongue 0 so as to cause the current collector WI to continue in a straight ahead travel, and the operating coil CI is employed to operate the switch tongue 0 in such a manner as to cause the current collector WI to select the curve position. The frog tongue N mounted on the current conductor I is provided with two operating coils S and C and a toggle spring S4 for mechanically biasing the position of the frog tongue N after having been initially operated by either of the operating coils S or C. The operating coil S is employed to position the frog tongue N in such a manner as to cause the current collector W to continue in a straight ahead travel, and the operating coil C is employed to so position the frog tongue N as to cause the current collector W to select the curved position. The two of the straight ahead operating coils S and SI are connected in series so that a current flowing in this circuit will cause each frog tongue to move to that position. The curved position coils C and CI are likewise arranged in series so that a current flowing in that circuit will simultaneously move the frog tongues to the curved position.

The signal indications L4 and L3 that we employ are arranged behind suitable lenses or signs so as to produce a visible indication to the operator of a vehicle as to which frog tongue circuit is energized as the current collector W engages the trolley contractor P. While the drawing illustrates signal lamps to provide the visible indications, it is believed that it will be evident to those skilled in the art that a movable sign or arm may be readily substituted for the lamp indications.

We also employ an electrically operated relay Y which we will term a selective switch, as its function is to place one or other of the previously mentioned trolley frog operating circuits in circuit with the current collector W as it engages the trolley contractor P. The relay Y is provided with an operating coil KL mounted on a suitable magnetic structure and has one coil terminal connected to the trolley wire I through wire I8 and its other coil terminal connected to the contact member 2 of trolley contactor P through wire H. The operating coil KL preferably consists of a few turns of heavy wire as it must withstand the heavy currents flowing to the motors of the trackless trolley vehicle. The ampere turns of the operating coil KL are so proportioned as to affect the armature KLA of relay Y when the controller CI is set in such a position as to cause a heavy current to flow in the vehicle motor circuit when the current collector W is in engagement with the trolley contactor P. It is also necessary that the ampere turns be such that the armature KLA will not be aiTected when the controller CI is set to the power off position. Furthermore the ampere turns must be so regulated that the current flowing through the auxiliary circuits, which current will also flow through the operating coil KL when the current collector engages the trolley contactor P, will not affect the armature KLA. Since the operating coil KL is normally in circuit with the contact member 2 of the trolley contactor P it will be noted that a circuit will be established for the energization of the coil KL when the current collector W engages the trolley contactor P with poweron. This circuit will be completed from trolley pole T2, current collector WI through wires I4, 24, 23 and 2|.

trolley wire I, through wire I8, operating coil KL of relay Y, wire I'i, contact member 2 of trolley contactor P, through the current collector W, trolley pole TI, vehicle motors M, controller CI, to the ground return current conductor IA. Instant to this operation the contact member 3 of trolley contactor P will be electrically connected to the trolley conductor I through the medium of the current collector W. The selective switch Y is also provided with two contacts 5 and I! and an armature KLA which is normally in contact engagement with the back contact 5, so that the selective switch is normally set for connecting the system to the branch operating circuit including the switch operating coils S and SI, and the armature KLA will so remain in this position if the current collector W initially engages the trolley contactor P with power ofi. If the current collector W engages the trolley contactor with the controller C2 set in such a position as to supply a heavy current to the operating motors of the vehicle, the operating coil KL will be sufiiciently energized to raise the armature KLA out of contact engagement with its normally engaged back contact 5 and into contact engagement with its front contact II, thereby placing the other operating branch of the system in circuit with the trolley contactor P.

In Fig. 2 the selective switch Y is identical to that described in Fig. 1 and the operating coil KL functions in the same manner as described in Fig. 1. The numerals and characters designating similar parts and connecting wires are the same for each of the two figures.

It is the purpose of our invention shown in Fig. 1 to display the signal indications L3 and L4 for a predetermined time interval independent of the speed of the trackless trolley vehicle. This feature is brought about by placing the indicating 0 tures and this may be brought about through various well known constructed principles such as a brass or copper sleeve about the core of the relay as represented by the characters T3 and T4. It is also evident to those skilled in the art that the armature TA may be provided with an inertia device or a dash pot arrangement, such devices being widely employed to perform this function at this time. The operating coil T of relay V has one of its coil terminals connected to the back contact 5 of relay Y through wire 7,

and its other coil terminal connected to the ground return current conductor IA through wires 8, 24, 23 and 2I. The armature TA is connected to the current conductor I through wire 26, resistance unit R, wire 25 and wire E8. The front contact 28 of relay V is connected to signal lamp L4 through wire 22. The relay N is employed to control the signal lamp L3 when the current collector W engages the trolley contactor P with power on. The relay N is provided with an operating coil TC and has one of its co l terminals connected to the front contact Ii of relay Y through wire I3 and its other coil terminal to the ground return current conductor IA The armature aora'zeo TCA of relay N is connected to the current conductor I through wire 21, wire 26", resistance unit R, wire 25 and wire I8. The front contact 29 of relay N is connected to the signal lamp L3 through wire I9.

Fig. 2 is a modified circuit of the system shown in Fig. 1 having the operating coils TC and T of relays N and V arranged in series with the switch operating circuits instead of the multiple arrangement shown in Fig. 1. The function. and relation of the trolley contactor P, selective switch Y and the two overhead frog switching devices is identical with Fig. l, and like characters and numerals have been employed to designate similar parts. The relay V is provided With an operating coil T and'is arranged in series with the straight ahead operating circuit and has one of its coil terminals connectedto the back contact 5 of relay Y through wire I6 and its other coil terminal connected directly to the operating coil S through wire ISA. The relay V is also provided with an armature TA and is connected to the. current conductor through wire 27, wire 26, resistance unit R, wire 25 and wire I8. The relay V is also provided with a front contact 28 and is connected to the signal lamp L4 through Wire 22. The relay N is provided with an operating coil TC and is connected to the front contact of relay Y through wire I2 and its other coil terminal is connected directly to the switch operating coil 0 through wire IZA. The relay N is also provided with an armature TCA which is connected to the current conductor 1 through wire 26, resistance unit R, wire 25 and wire E8. The front contact 29 of relay N is connected to the signal lamp L3 through wire I9. Relays N and V are of the retarded release type, that is, the armatures TA and TCA are provided with a suitable means for retarding their release after having been initially operated by their respective operating coils T and TC. This may be brought about by various well known constructed principles, such as a brass or copper sleeve about the core of the relay or through the use of an inertia device or a dash-pot arrangement. This is symbolically represented by the characters T3 and T l.

With reference to Fig. l, as the vehicle approaches the trolley frog switching devices the current collector W will come into contact engagement with the trolley contactor P. If the current collector W initially engages the trolley contactor P with power off, the operating coil KL of relay Y will not be suihciently energized to affect its armature KLA and the normal selection of the selected switch will be retained. As the current collector W engages the contact member 3 of the trolley contactor P a circuit will be established for operating the frog tongues N and 0' to such a position as to permit the current collectors W and WI to travel in the straight ahead course. This circuit will be completed from the current conductor I, through wire 58, operating coil KL of relay Y, wire II, contact member 2 of trolley contactor P, through the current collector W, contact member't o-f trolley contactor P, wire 4, armature KLA of relay Y, back contact 5 of relay Y, wire It, switch operating coil S, wire 9, switch operating coil Si, wire iii to the ground return conductor IA. When the current collector W initially engages the trolley contactor P with power on the operating coil KL will be sufilciently energized so as' to raise its armature KLA out of contact engagement with its normally engaged back contact 5 and into contact engagement with its normally disengaged with its front contact 23. the current collector disengaged. the contact front contact H. This selection of relay Y established a circuit for. shifting the frog tongues N- and .;O: to such a position as to cause the current collectors. W and WI .to select the curve position. This. circuit was established from the current conductor I, through wire [8, operating coil KL of relay Y, wire II, contact member 2 of trolley contactor. P, through the current collector W, contact member 3 of trolley contactor P, wire 4, armature KLA of relay Y, front contact ii of relay Y, wire I2, switch operating coil C, wire I5, switch operating coil CI, wire It to the ground return current conductor lA. As was previously described the switch tongues N and O are mechanically biased in their operated positions through the toggle springs S2 and S4.

When the current collectorW engaged the trolley contactor P with power on or power off the ..selective switch Y functioned to place one or'other ofthe frog tongue operating circuits in circuit with thetrolley contactor P and instant to the selection an auxiliary circuit was established for operating a retarded release relay to govern the display of one of the signal lamps. When the current collector W initially engaged the trolley contactor P with power off the armature KLA of relay Y was not affected and the normal selection for the straight ahead operating circuit was retained, and as the current collector W came into contact engagement with contact member 3 of trolley contactor P the straight ahead switch operating circuit was energized. Incident to this operation an auxiliary circuit for the energization of coil T of relay V was established. This circuit is completed from the current conductor I, through wire I8, operating coil KL of relay Y, wire I'I, contact. member 2 of trolley contactor P, through the current collector W, contact member 3 of trolley contactor P, wire 4, armature KLA of relay back contact 5 of relay Y, wire 1, operating coil T of relay V, wire 8, wire 24, wire 23, wire ii to the ground return current conductor IA. This energization of the coil T of relay V caused armature TA to come into engagement with its normally dis engaged front contact 28, thereby completing a circuit for the straight ahead signal indication This circuit was completed from; trolley conduct-or I, through wire 88, wire 25, resistance it R, wire 26, armature TA of relay V, front contact 28 of relay V, wire 22, signal lamp L i, wire 2| to the ground return current conductor IA. As long as the current collector W remained in contact engagement with the contact memher 3 of trolley contactor P the operating coil T of relay V remained energized and thereby retained its armature TA in contact engagement As soon, however, as

member 3, the operating coil T of relay V became deenergized'butthe'armature TA of relay V remained in contact engagement with the front contact 28 for a predetermined time since the armature TA of relay V is provided with a retarded release factor represented by the char-- acters T3. Should the current collector W engage the trolley contactor P with power on, the operating coil KL of relay Y will be sufficiently energized to cause its armature KLA to engage itsfront contact I I and thereby select the curve switch operating circuit and energize the operating coil of relay N for controlling the signal lamp indication L3. The operation of relay N is identical with that of relay V and it is believed that a lengthy description thereof is not required.

The system shown in Fig. 2 is a modification of that shown in Fig. 1 with the parts so arranged and disposed as to bring about a more simple structure. The major difference embodied in Fig. 2 is that the operating coils T and TC of relays V and N respectively, are placed in series with the straight ahead and curved switch operating circuits. In this system the operating coil T is energized when the straight ahead switch operating circuit is completed to bring the armature TA of relay V into contact engagement with its front contact 28 and thereby complete the circuit for the straight ahead signal lamp indication L4. The operating coil TC of relay N'is similarly energized when the curve switch operating circuit is completed, to cause its armature TCA to engage its front contact 29 and thereby complete the circuit for the curve signal indication L3. Inasmuch as the system shown in Fig. 2 is a simplification over the system shown in Fig. 1, it is believed that a lengthy description is not necessary as each of the co-operating elements function in the same manner and produce the same result.

There are, of course, modifications and arrangements of parts which may be made from that shown in the above disclosure and which will still fall within thescope of our invention.

We claim:

1. In a vehicle operating system, comprising a moving vehicle, a double power line, a plurality of current collectors for collecting motive power for the vehicle from the said power lines, trolley frog tongue devices equipped with movable elements included in each of the said power lines for directing the course of travel of the said current collectors to either of two directions, means for moving the said tongue elements including a plurality of operating coils, a group of signal indications, and means selectively controlled by the said vehicle approaching the frog tongue devices to automatically and electrically actuate the moving elements of the said frog tongue devices to either of their operable positions, and other means selectively responsive to the approach of said vehicle for controlling the operation of said signals for a predetermined time.

2. In a vehicle operating system, comprising a moving vehicle, a double power line, a plurality of current collectors for collecting motive power for the vehicle from the said power lines, trolley frog tongue devices equipped with a movable element included in each of the said power lines for directing the course of travel of the said current collectors to either of two directions, means for moving the said tongue elements including a plurality of operating coils, a group of signal indications, and means selectively controlled by the said vehicle approaching the frog tongue devices to automatically and electrically actuate the moving elements of the said frog tongue devices to either of their operable positions, and other means selectively responsive to an approaching vehicle and operable for a predetermined time to selectively direct energization current to the said signals to notify the operator of the vehicle the selective operation of said frog tongue devices.

3. In a trolley frog operating system, the combination of a movable tongue element, means for moving the tongue element including a plurality of operating coils, a power line, a trolley contactor, a branched circuit to the said operating coils, circuit controlling means operated automatically from a vehicle to affect the said circuit and transmit current. from the power line to the said operating coils for selectively operating the said movable tongue element in the desired direction, electric signals, and a current collector for co-operating with the said contactor to aiiect the said circuit controlling means and to temporarily supply energization current to said coils, and means selectively energized only while the current collector is in engagement with the said contactor and operative for a predetermined time after the collector disengages the contactor to control the operation of said signals.

4. In a trolley frog operating device, the combination of a movable frog element, means for moving the frog tongue element including a plurality of coils, a double power line, each of said power lines equipped with a frog tongue operating device, a trolley contactor mounted in one of the said power lines, current collectors normally engaging the said power lines, one of said current collectors arranged to cooperate with the trolley contactor to selectively supply a temporary operating current to the said operating coils of the frog tongue devices dependent upon whether or not the current collector of the vehicle engages the contactor with power on or power oil means for selectively indicating to the operator of the vehicle the fact of said operation for a predetermined time after the current collector disengages the said contactor.

5. In a trolley frog operating system of the class described, the combination of an electric circuit including a power line, operating coils for the frog device, a relay operable to selectively direct currents through the said operating coils, and signals for indicating the selective energization of the said coils, and means temporarily energized only when current is selectively directed to the said operating coils and operable tor a predetermined time after current is discontinued from the said coils, to control the operation of said signals.

6. In a trolley fro-g operating system, comprising a moving vehicle, a double power line, a plurality of current collectors for collecting motive power for the vehicle from the said power lines, trolley frog tongue devices equipped with movable elements in each of the said power lines for directing the course of travel of the said current collectors, means for moving the said tongue elements including a plurality of operating coils, a

trolley contactor having a pair of contact members to be engaged by one of the said current collectors, one of said contact members being connected to one power line, a branched circuit connecting the said operating coils and the other said contact member, circuit controlling means operated automatically from the vehicle to affect the said circuit and selectively transmit current from the power line to the operating coils of the frog devices when the collector engages the said contactor, and means operable for a predetermined time after the collector disengages the said contactor for selectively indicating'to the operator of the vehicle the fact of said operation.

'7. In a trolley frog operating system, comprising a moving vehicle, a double power line, a plurality of current collectors for collecting motive power for the vehicle from the said power lines, trolley frog tongue devices equipped with movable elements in each of the said power lines for directing the course of travel of the said current collectors, means for moving the said tongue elements including a plurality of operating coils, a trolley contactor having a pair of contact members to be engagedby one of the said current collectors, one of said contact members-beingconnected to one power line, a branchedlcircuit connectingthe said operating coils and the other said contact member, circuit controlling means operated automatically from the vehicle to'affect the saidcircuit and selectively transmit current from the said one power line to theoperatin'g coils of the frog devices when the collector engages the said contactor, and -a'plurality of signal indications having electric circuits temporarily energized for a predetermined time after the flow of current is discontinued from the said operating coils, to indicate the selective energization of the said coils. i

8. Inc, trolley frog-operating system, comprising a moving vehicle, a double power line, a plurality of current collectors for collecting motive power for the vehicle from the said) power lines, trolley frog tongue devices equipped with movable elements in each of the said power lines for directing the course of travel of the said current collectors, means for moving the said tongue elements including a plurality of operating coils, a trplley contactor having a pair of contact members to be engaged by one of the said current collectors, one of said contact members being connected to one power line, a branched circuit connecting the said operating coils and the other said contact members, circuit controlling means operated automatically from the vehicle to aiiect the said circuit and selectively transmit current from the said one power line to the operating coils of the frog devices when the collector engages the said contactor, and a plurality of signal indications having electric circuits temporarily energized only when current is transmitted to the said operating coils to indicate the selective energization of the said coils and means for retaining the said signal circuits energized for a predetermined time after current is discontinued from the said coils.

9. In a trolley frog operating system, comprising a moving vehicle, a double power line, a plurality of current collectors for collecting motive power for the vehicle from the said power lines, trolley frog tongue devices equipped with movable elements in each of the said power lines for directing the course of travel of the said current collectors, means for moving the said tongue elements including a plurality of operating coils, a trolley contactor having a pair of contact members to be engaged by one of the said current collectors, one of said contact members being connected to one power line, a branched circuit connecting the said operating coils and the other said contact member, circuit controlling means operated automatically from the vehicle to control the said circuit for selectively transmitting current from the power line to the operating coils of the frog devices when the collector engages the said contactor, and a plurality of signal indications having electric circuits arranged to be energized for a predetermined time after current has been transmitted to the said operating coils to indicate the selective energization of the said coils.

10. In a vehicle operating system, comprising a moving vehicle, a double power line, a plurality or current collectors for collecting motive power for the vehicle from the said power lines, trolley frog tongue devices equipped with mov able elements included in each of the said power lines for directing the course of travel of the said current collectors to either of two directions, means for moving said tongue elements including tion current to one of the said signal indications,

andmean's for-retaining the said supply of energizationcurrent to the said one signal -for ax-predetermined time aiter'the electrical operation of the said movable elements is discontinued.

11. In a vehicle operating system, comprising a moving vehicle, adouble powerline, a' plurality of" current collectors for collecting motive power for the vehicle from the said power lines, trolley frog tongue devices equipped with movable elements included in each of the said power lines for directing the course of travel of the said current collectors to either of two directions, means for moving said tongue elements including a plurality of operating coils, a plurality of signal indications for selectively indicating to the operator of the said vehicle the fact of operation of the said frog tongues, electric circuits therefor, and means selectively controlled by the said vehicle approaching the said frog tongue devices to automatically and electrically actuate the moving elements of the said frog tongue devices to either of their operable positions and to simultaneously energize one of the said signal indications, and means for retaining the said one signal energized for a predetermined time.

12. In a vehicle operating system, comprising a moving vehicle, a double power line, a plurality of current collectors for collecting motive power for the vehicle from the said power lines, trolley frog tongue devices equipped with a movable element included in each of the said power lines for directing the course of travel of said current collectors to either of two directions, means for moving the said tongue elements ineluding a plurality of operating coils, a group of signal indications for selectively indicating to the operator of the said vehicle the fact of operation of the said movable elements, electric circuits therefor, and means selectively affected by the said vehicle approaching the said frog tongue devices to automatically and electrically actuate the moving elements of the said frog tongue devices to either of their operable positions, and means responsive thereto for selectively supplying energization current to one of the said indications for a predetermined time and in accordance with predetermined conditions.

13. In a trolley frog operating system, the combination of a movable tongue element, means for moving the tongue element including a plurality of operating coils, a power line, a trolley contactor, a branched circuit to the said operating coils, circuit controlling means, operated automatically from a vehicle to affect the said circuit for selectively transmitting current from the power line to the said operating coils for selectively operating the said movable element in the desired direction, electric signals for indicating each direction of operation of the said movable element, and a current collector for cooperating with the said contactor to supply energization current to the said branched circuit whereby the said movable tongue element will be operated in accordance with predetermined conditions, and

means selectively responsive to the energization of the said branched circuit for controlling the operation of the corresponding signal for a predetermined time to indicate to the operator of the vehicle the fact of said operation,

14. In a trolley frog operating system, the combination of an electric circuit including a p wer line, operating coils for the frog device, means operable to selectively direct operating current through the said operating coils in response to the engagement of a current collector with a trolley contactor, and other means responsive to the operation of the first mentioned means and contactor, to temporarily indicate the selective energization of the said coils.

15. In a trolley frog operating system, the com-- bination comprising a movable tongue element first mentioned means in response to the engagement of the current collector on the moving vehicle with a trolley contactor, and still other means responsive to the selective operation of the first mentioned means and operable for a predetermined time after disengagement of the current collector and trolley contactor, to tempora- FRANK H. RICHTERKESSING. SAMUEL S. STOLP. 

